25yo star now 'determined to leave' Arsenal, available for £26m
Jakub Kiwior is determined to leave Arsenal after being left out of the matchday squad against Manchester United, according to Portuguese publication O Jogo.
The Poland international has been a solid deputy centre-back for the Gunners, but he is contemplating a new challenge during the final phase of the transfer window.
Kiwior did not make the squad for the curtain-raiser against the Red Devils last weekend.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes started in central defence. Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera were among the central defensive options on the bench.
O Jogo now claim that Kiwior is ‘determined to leave’ the Gunners after the recent snub, and Porto are reportedly his main admirers at the current point in time.
However, the Portuguese giants are not in a position to meet the Gunners’ £26 million price tag. A deal is unlikely unless the Gunners lower their transfer valuation.
Arsenal must stand firm on asking price for Kiwior
The Pole was signed by the Gunners from Spezia for £20m, including add-ons. He was vulnerable with his positioning at the start, but has made good progress over the past year.
Kiwior has improved both physically and positionally. He proved a fantastic deputy during Gabriel’s injury absence earlier this year and outperformed William Saliba on many occasions.
The 25-year-old was highlighted as a potential weak link after Gabriel’s season-ending injury, but it was Saliba who was guilty of making some unforced defensive errors.
Kiwior has built a good reputation for himself, and Arsenal must stand firm on their price tag. He is in the prime of his career, and the club should not sanction a cut-price deal.
Porto obviously can’t afford him as things stand. Kiwior may have his sights on playing regular first-team football, but Arsenal must not entertain his exit unless their price is met.
The defender has almost three years remaining on his contract. Arsenal are in a strong position to negotiate and have no reason to consider a low transfer fee for the Pole.
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